Powered inertia propelled screed apparatus

ABSTRACT

A powered inertia propelled screed for leveling, smoothing and spreading material having a power source, motor pulley, motor belt, power reduction pulley, power reduction belt, transfer axle, second power reduction pulley, continuous belt, irregular shaped pulley, idler pulley, arm, stationary bracket, platform, wheels, tracks, control arms and screed whereby the rotation of the irregular shaped pulley causes the powered inertia propelled screed to move back and forth along the tracks by inertia and wherein the screed is moved back and forth along the material.

APPLICATION CROSS-REFERENCES

[0001] This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. applicationSer. No. 09/747,916, filed Dec. 22, 2000, and a continuation-in-part ofU.S. application Ser. No. 09/256,904, filed Feb. 24, 1999, nowabandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to an apparatus for screeding concrete,cement, mud, sand, dirt, grain or other similar dry or semi-fluidmaterials (hereinafter “material”) and more particularly to a poweredinertia propelled screed apparatus for screeding material.

[0003] It is envisaged that the invention will find application in thefield of finished material work, more particularly in the field ofleveling, smoothing or spreading placed material before solidificationof same.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

[0004] To complete small concrete jobs at home, such as a new driveway,sidewalk or deck, a hand-held screed board is used to level, smooth orspread recently poured or deposited concrete. Heavier particles areforced downward during this process. The user holds the screed board inhis hands and pushes and pulls the board across the top of the concreteto level, smooth or spread same. It is also known that by setting upforms, the user is able to obtain a more level and smooth surface. Theuser extends the hand-held screed board across the forms so that theboard is above and across the concrete. The user then moves the boardtransverse along the forms in a back and forth movement along the formsto level, smooth or spread the concrete. The problem with using ahand-held screed board is that it is labor intensive, difficult to useand requires the user to be in a bending, squatting or kneelingposition, which can be uncomfortable.

[0005] To level, smooth or spread concrete in larger areas that arebeyond the reach of the user, screeding the concrete becomesproblematic. Either multiple persons are required to perform the job orthe person is required to stand in the concrete while leveling,smoothing or spreading the concrete, which is very messy and difficult.As an alternative, most homeowners hire contractors to complete smallmaterial jobs, which can be very expensive.

[0006] There are machines which have been developed to level, smooth andspread concrete; however, these machines are large, difficult totransport and expensive. Furthermore, using these large machines forsmall jobs would not be practical. These machines are usually onlypractical for larger jobs because of the purchase price. These largemachines require multiple operators to operate them. In short, thesemachines are not suitable for small jobs such as driveways, sidewalksand decks. As such, municipalities, street builders and constructioncompanies are usually the only purchasers of these machines.

[0007] There are vibrating screed machines and tamping machinesavailable to level, smooth and spread concrete; however, these machinesonly work well on flat surfaces. If these machines are utilized on asloping surface, the concrete tends to flow down the slope due to thevibration which results in an undesirable condition.

[0008] The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more ofthe problems set forth above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An aspect of the invention is providing a powered inertiapropelled screed apparatus for screeding material.

[0010] In another aspect of the invention there is provided a poweredinertia propelled screed apparatus suitable for many different sizedjobs.

[0011] Yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a poweredinertia propelled screed apparatus that utilizes inertia to screedmaterial.

[0012] Still another aspect of the invention there is provided a poweredinertia propelled screed apparatus that is inexpensive to manufacture.

[0013] Another aspect of the invention there is provided a poweredinertia propelled screed apparatus that allows one person to screedmaterial without much effort.

[0014] Yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a poweredinertia propelled screed apparatus that is efficient in screedingmaterial.

[0015] In another aspect of the invention there is provided a poweredinertia propelled screed apparatus that is easily controlled andoperated.

[0016] It is an aspect of the invention there is provided a poweredinertia propelled screed apparatus for reducing the amount of time toscreed material.

[0017] It is another aspect of the invention there is provided a poweredinertia propelled screed apparatus that is compact and easilytransportable from job to job.

[0018] Yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a poweredinertia propelled screed apparatus that is easily modified to fit theparticular size of the area that requires screeding.

[0019] Still another aspect of the invention there is provided a poweredinertia propelled screed apparatus that can be manufactured withdifferent size power sources depending on the application.

[0020] Another aspect of the invention there is provided a poweredinertia propelled screed apparatus that can be fitted with differentsized screeds depending on the application.

[0021] Yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a poweredinertia propelled screed apparatus that can be used on non-flat orsloped surfaces producing excellent results.

[0022] The above aspects are merely illustrative and should not beconstrued as all-inclusive. The aspects should not be construed aslimiting the scope of the invention rather the scope of the invention isdetailed in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Reference is now made more particularly to the drawings, whichillustrate the best presently known mode of carrying out the inventionand wherein similar reference characters indicate the same partsthroughout the views.

[0024]FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective back side view of a poweredinertia propelled screed apparatus without control arms attachedthereto;

[0025]FIG. 1A illustrates a side view of the arm and the left and rightv-shaped stationary brackets;

[0026]FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective front side view of the poweredinertia propelled screed apparatus without control arms attachedthereto;

[0027]FIG. 3 illustrates an enlarged front side view of an irregularshaped pulley in a first position that produces the oscillating movementof the powered inertia propelled screed apparatus;

[0028]FIG. 4 illustrates an enlarged front side end of the irregularshaped pulley in a second position that produces the oscillatingmovement of the powered inertia propelled screed apparatus;

[0029]FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of a left control arm of thepowered inertia propelled screed apparatus;

[0030]FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of a right control arm of thepowered inertia propelled screed apparatus; and

[0031]FIG. 7 illustrates a left side view of the powered inertiapropelled screed apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] With reference to FIG. 1, a powered inertia propelled screed isillustrated and designated as numeral 10. The powered inertia propelledscreed 10 has a screed 11 used to level, smooth and spread material. Thescreed 11 rests on top of forms 12. The screed 11 is transverse to theforms 12 and during operation of the powered inertia propelled screed10, the screed 11 moves from a first position to a second position orback and forth across the forms 12 transverse with respect to the forms12. The screed 11 can be made of a wide variety of materials such asmetals (e.g., aluminum, steel), plastics, composites, wood or the like;however, in the preferred embodiment, the screed 11 is made of woodbecause it is less expensive and light weight with respect to othermaterials. The specific application and size of the work area in whichthe screed 11 is to be used will dictate the physical characteristics ofthe screed 11. For most jobs, the screed 11 could be 14 feet in length,2 inches in width and 6 inches in height. These physical dimensions arenot meant to be limiting and may vary tremendously depending on thespecific material job.

[0033]FIG. 7 illustrates the screed 11 connected to a plurality of angleirons 13. The angle irons 13 are mounted to the screed 11 with bolts 14and nuts 15; however, most fastening means would be acceptable. Forexample, rivets (not shown), nails (not shown) or clamps (not shown)could be substituted for the bolts 14 and nuts 15. The screed 11 has abottom 16 which rests on the forms 12. The screed 11 has sides 17 thatare mounted to the angle irons 13. The angle irons 13 have first lengths19, which are, parallel and connected to the sides 17 of the screed 11and second lengths 18, which are transverse to the sides 17 of thescreed 11. The first and second lengths 19, 18 are at substantiallyright angles with respect to each other. The second lengths 18 areconnected to track brackets 20. The track brackets 20 are connected totracks 21. The tracks 21 are utilized for controlling the movement ofthe powered inertia propelled screed 10 parallel to the screed 11 andtransverse to the forms 12. The tracks 21 are shown as C brackets;however, there are many types of runners or tracks that could beutilized with the powered inertia propelled screed 10.

[0034] The powered inertia propelled screed 10 has a platform 30. Aspacer 31 is connected to the bottom of the platform 30. Axles 32 areattached to the spacer 31 by spacer bolts 34. The axles 32 have aplurality of wheels 33 attached transverse to the axles 32. The wheels33 are assembled into or onto the tracks 21. During operation of thepowered inertia propelled screed 10, the wheels 33 travel along thetracks 21 in a back and forth motion along the tracks 21.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 1, a power source 40 is mounted onto theplatform 30 opposite the side connected to the spacer 31. In thepreferred embodiment, a motor is utilized. The specifications for themotor can be adapted to the particular job. For example, if a large areais being worked and the screed 11 is required to be longer, the motor'ssize and horsepower may need to be increased. In the preferredembodiment, the motor has a ⅓^(rd) horsepower, 120 voltage alternatingcurrent (A.C.) and 1725 revolutions per minute specification when usedin conjunction with a 14 feet long, 2 inches wide and 6 inches highscreed 11. The power source 40 and screed 11 specifications can bemodified according to the particular application. Furthermore, directcurrent (D.C.) voltage such as a car or truck battery could power adirect current (D.C.) motor. Also, internal combustion engines could beused with the powered inertia propelled screed 10. The power source 40powers a motor pulley 41 or first pulley. The motor pulley 41 isapproximately 2½ inches in diameter. The power source 40 rotates themotor pulley 41 when power is applied to the power source 40. The motorpulley 41 drives a motor belt 42. In the preferred embodiment, the motorbelt 42 is a V-belt that is ¾^(th) on an inch wide by 10 inches long.The motor belt 42 is connected to a speed reduction pulley 43 or secondpulley. The speed reduction pulley 43 is generally 3½ inches in diameterand accepts the motor belt 42. The speed reduction pulley 43 is rotatedby the motor belt 42. Located between the motor pulley 41 and the speedreduction pulley 43 is an idler pulley 44 or fifth pulley, which acts onthe motor belt 42. The idler pulley 44 functions as a clutch and isknown in the art and no further explanation is required.

[0036] A transfer axle 45 is attached at one end to the speed reductionpulley 43. A second speed reduction pulley 46, or third pulley, isconnected to the opposite end of the transfer axle 45. The second speedreduction pulley 46 is generally 2¼ inches in diameter and accepts acontinuous belt 49 that is typically, but not necessarily, taut. Thespeed reduction pulley 43 rotates and transfers rotation through thetransfer axle 45 to the second speed reduction pulley 46. The transferaxle 45 is connected to a plurality of pillow block bearings 47 and ismounted to an elevation block 48. The elevation block 48 is connected tothe platform 30 on the side opposite the side of the platform connectedto the elevation block 48.

[0037] The speed reduction pulley 43 rotates and transfer rotation tothe second speed reduction pulley 46. The second speed reduction pulley46 rotates the continuous belt 49. It is obvious to those in the artthat a transmission (not shown) or other means for reducing speed couldbe utilized instead of the preferred embodiment which includes the speedreduction pulley 43, the transfer axle 45, and the second speedreduction pulley 46. The continuous belt 49 transfers rotation to anirregular shaped pulley 50 or fourth pulley. The irregular shaped pulley50 is non-circular and is approximately a 9¾ of an inch mean diameter.In the preferred embodiment, the irregular shaped pulley 50 isegg-shaped or somewhat triangular. The shape of the irregular shapedpulley 50 can be varied and is crucial to the operation of the poweredinertia propelled screed 10. The shape of the irregular shaped pulley 50is necessary to generate a slight inertia imbalance when the irregularshaped pulley 50 rotates. The irregular shaped pulley 50 is mounted onan axle 51. The axle 51 is approximately ⅞^(th) of an inch internaldiameter and is stationary, and the irregular shaped pulley 50 rotatesaround the axle 51. FIG. 2 illustrates the axle 51 mounted to a bracket52. The bracket 52 is mounted to the platform 30. The axle 51 extendstransverse from the bracket 52 through the irregular shaped pulley 50.The axle 51 allows the irregular shaped pulley 50 to rotate. The end ofthe axle 51 not fixed to the bracket 52 has a cotter pin 60 attached tothe axle 51 to prevent the irregular shaped pulley 50 from rotating offof the axle 51.

[0038] A spacer 53 is connected to the irregular shaped pulley 50opposite the side of the irregular shaped pulley 50 that is nearest thebracket 52. The spacer 53 is horizontal and is not through the center ofthe irregular shaped pulley 50 rather the spacer 53 is located towardthe outside perimeter of the irregular shaped pulley 50. The spacer 53is rotatably connected to an arm 54 with a ¾^(th) of an inch stop nut90. The spacer 53 holds the arm 54 away from the irregular shaped pulley50 so that when the arm 54 rotates, the arm 54 clears the axle 51 andcotter pin 60. The arm 54 can be a pipe, bar or rod. The arm 54 is oneinch in diameter, preferably aluminum and transverse to the spacer 53.As the irregular shaped pulley 50 rotates, the spacer 53 and arm 54 movealong with the irregular shaped pulley 50. Strap irons 80 are attachedto both sides of the irregular shaped pulley 50 for strength, stabilityand a bearing surface for the irregular shaped pulley 50.

[0039] The end of the arm 54 opposite the end indirectly connected tothe spacer 53 is connected to a left v-shaped stationary bracket 55 andright v-shaped stationary bracket 56, each of which can be two separatebrackets. The arm 54 is rotatably mounted between the left and rightv-shaped stationary brackets 55, 56 with a small axle 57 as shown inFIG. 1A. The small axle 57 is transverse with the left and rightstationary brackets 55, 56 and stationary; however, a hole in the arm 54allows the arm 54 to rotate when mounted between the left and rightv-shaped stationary brackets 55, 56. The end of the arm 54 attached tothe small axle 57 is free to rotate around the axle 57 axis. The ends ofthe left and right v-shaped stationary brackets 55, 56 opposite the endsattached to the small axle 57 are permanently attached to the screed 11.The rotation of the irregular shaped pulley 50 will result in thepowered inertia propelled screed 10 being moved back and forth along thetracks 21. The arm 54 attached to the left and right v-shaped stationarybrackets 55, 56 is not free to move towards or away from the irregularshaped pulley 50 thus the powered inertia propelled screed 10 moves backand forth.

[0040]FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a left and right control arm 61, 62,respectively. The control arms 61, 62 have first ends 63 that areconnected to the screed 11. Second ends 64 of the control arms 61, 62are transverse to the first ends 63 and extend upwardly with respect tothe ground. Park props 65 are attached transverse to the second ends 64of the control arms 61, 62 for supporting the control arms 61, 62 whenthe powered inertia propelled screed 10 is not in use. The park props 65attached to the second ends 54 are rotatably connected to the controlarms 61, 62 so that the park props 65 can be moved parallel to thecontrol arms 61, 62 when the powered inertia propelled screed 10 is inuse. Fasteners 66 are used to hold the park props 65 parallel to thecontrol arms 61, 62 when the powered inertia propelled screed 10 is inuse. When not in use, the park props 65 are unfastened from thefasteners 66 so that the ends of the park props 65 not connected to thecontrol arms 61, 62 are put into contact with the ground to support thepowered inertia propelled screed 10 in a park position. Paths of travel67 of the park props 65 are illustrated. A stabilizer 70 is removablyconnected to the left control arm 61 and the right control arm 62 whenit is desirable for one person to operate the powered inertia propelledscreed 10. The stabilizer 70 can be removed when two people areavailable to run the powered inertia propelled screed 10.

[0041] A power switch 68 is attached to either the left or right controlarm 61, 62. The power switch 68 is connected to a power cable 71. Thepower cable 71 is connected to the power source 40. The power switch 68is used to turn the power to the power source 40 on and off. A throttlecontrol 69 is attached to either the left or right control arm 61, 62.The throttle control 69 is connected to a throttle cable 72. Thethrottle cable 72 is connected to the idler pulley 44 and is used tocontrol the speed of the back and forth movement of the powered inertiapropelled screed 10 in or on the tracks 21. The throttle control 69 is achoke or throttle control such as the throttle controls used for a powermotor.

[0042] To operate the powered inertia propelled screed 10, the userfastens the park props 65 to the fasteners 66 while holding thestabilizer 70. The user turns on the power source 40 by the power switch68. When power is supplied to the power source 40, the motor pulley 41will begin to rotate. The motor pulley 41 causes the motor belt 42 torotate around the speed reduction pulley 43. The speed reduction pulley43 rotates and the transfer axle 45 transfers the rotation to the secondspeed reduction pulley 46. The second speed reduction pulley 46 rotatesand causes the continuous belt 49 to rotate around the irregular shapedpulley 50.

[0043] The irregular shaped pulley 50 will start to rotate around theaxle 51. As the irregular shaped pulley 50 rotates, the platform 30mounted operatively to the wheels 33 and all the components which createthe mass mounted on the platform 30 will be moved in a back and forthmotion along the tracks 21. As the irregular shaped pulley 50 rotates,the end of the arm 54 attached operatively to the irregular shapedpulley 50 is moved in an irregular circular motion as defined by theshape of the irregular shaped pulley 50. Because the arm 54 is mountedto the left and right v-shaped stationary brackets 55, 56 and cannotmove towards or away from the irregular shaped pulley 50 during therotation of the irregular shaped pulley 50, the platform 30 mountedindirectly to the wheels 33 is forced to move along the tracks 21 in aback and forth or oscillating movement. Specifically, the back and forthmovement is created by the location of the arm 54 with respect to theirregular shaped pulley 50. FIG. 3 illustrates the irregular shapedpulley 50 in a first position. In the first position, the poweredinertia propelled screed 10 is moved closer to the v-shaped stationarybrackets 55, 56. The powered inertia propelled screed 10 is moved alongthe tracks 21 as the irregular shaped pulley 50 rotates because the arm54 length is not varied or moved towards or away from the irregularshaped pulley 50. As the powered inertia propelled screed 10 rotatesfrom the first position to a second position as illustrated in FIG. 4,the powered inertia propelled screed 10 is moved away from the v-shapedstationary brackets 55, 56. When the irregular shaped pulley 50 isrotated, the powered inertia propelled screed 10 moves back and forthand causes the screed 11 to move back and forth across the material. Themovement of the irregular shaped pulley 50 causes changes in directionof the mass of the powered inertia propelled screed 10 and inertia isgenerated in opposing directions. The weight of the powered inertiapropelled screed 10 is moved or jolted back and forth. The inertiacauses the back and forth movement of the powered inertia propelledscreed 10. Inertia in substantially equal and opposite direction iscreated by the rotation of the irregular shaped pulley 50. The irregularshaped pulley 50 causes a slight inertia imbalance when the irregularshaped pulley 50 is rotated. The change in the irregular shaped pulley's50 diameter causes a change in speed and forces acting on the poweredinertia propelled screed 10. This change in speed and forces causesinertia to act on the powered inertia propelled screed 10. Once again,in one instance the powered inertia propelled screed 10 is in the firstposition as shown in FIG. 3 which propels the screed 11 to the right. Inanother instance, the powered inertia propelled screed 10 is in thesecond position as shown in FIG. 4 which propels the screed 11 to theleft which is approximately 180 degrees from the first position. Themovement of the irregular shaped pulley 50 from the first to the secondposition caused the weight of the powered inertia propelled screed 10 tobe moved or jerked causing the screed 11 to the left when moving fromthe right to the left. Of course, there are more than two positions forthe irregular shaped pulley 50 and the first and second positions aredescribed for illustration purposes. The powered inertia propelledscreed 10 moves back and forth along the tracks 21 because of the forcesgenerated from the irregular shaped pulley 50. The back and forthmovement is abrupt and causes a jerking movement. As the powered inertiapropelled screed 10 is moved back and forth, so moves the screed 11. Thescreed 11 is moved back and forth when the irregular shaped pulley 50 isrotated. The screed's 11 back and forth movement is utilized to level,smooth or spread material. The back and forth movement helps to forcelarge particles down into the material. As the powered inertia propelledscreed 10 is operating, the user pulls or moves the powered inertiapropelled screed 10 along the material so that the screed 11 contacts,levels and spreads the material.

[0044] The throttle control 69 is used to vary the speed of the powersource 40. The speed of the power source 40 will dictate the rotationalspeed of the irregular shaped pulley 50. The rotational speed of theirregular shaped pulley 50 dictates the speed of the back and forthmovement of the powered inertia propelled screed 10. The speed of theback and forth movement of the powered inertia propelled screed 10dictates the speed of the back and forth movement of the screed 11. Theuser can control the screed 11 by varying the power source 40 speed.

[0045] Other objects, features, advantages and applications will beapparent to those skilled in the art. While preferred embodiments of thepresent invention have been illustrated and described, this has been byway of illustration and the invention should not be limited except asrequired by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A powered inertia propelled screed having ascreed for leveling, smoothing and spreading material, comprising: apower source; a platform, having a top portion and a bottom portion,wherein the power source is connected to the top portion of theplatform; a first pulley rotatably connected to the power source; afourth pulley, wherein the fourth pulley is rotatably connected to thetop portion of the platform; a continuous belt operatively connectedbetween the first pulley and the fourth pulley; an arm operativelyattached to the fourth pulley; and at least one stationary bracketconnected to the screed and the arm, wherein the power source rotatesthe first pulley thereby rotating the fourth pulley with the continuousbelt, wherein the fourth pulley moves the arm so that the poweredinertia propelled screed can move back and forth along the tracks, whichcauses the screed to move back and forth.
 2. A powered inertia propelledscreed according to claim 1, further including: a plurality of wheelsoperatively attached to the bottom portion of the platform; and aplurality of tracks for receiving the plurality of wheels, wherein thepowered inertia propelled screed can move back and forth along thetracks causing the screed to move back and forth.
 3. A powered inertiapropelled screed according to claim 2, further including a left andright control arm operatively connected to the powered inertia propelledscreed, wherein the screed is controlled to level, smooth and spreadmaterial.
 4. A powered inertia propelled screed according to claim 1,wherein the fourth pulley is irregularly shaped.
 5. A powered inertiapropelled screed according to claim 3, further including a throttlecable mounted on either the left or right control arm for varying thespeed of the power source wherein controlling the speed of the powersource also controls the back and forth movement of the screed.
 6. Apowered inertia propelled screed according to claim 1, further includinga power switch connected to the power source for turning power to thepower source on or off.
 7. A powered inertia propelled screed accordingto claim 4, further including means to reduce speed being transferredbetween the first and the irregular pulley.
 8. A method for leveling,smoothing and spreading material with a powered inertia propelled screedhaving a screed comprising: rotating a first pulley rotatably connectedto a power source , wherein the power source is attached to a topportion of a platform; rotating a fourth pulley, rotatably mounted tothe top portion of the platform, with a continuous belt attached to thefirst pulley; moving an arm operatively attached to the fourth pulleyand the screed; wherein the powered inertia propelled screed moves backand forth causing the screed to move back and forth.
 9. The method forleveling, smoothing and spreading material according to claim 8, furtherincluding: means for reducing the speed transferred from the powersource.
 10. The method for leveling, smoothing and spreading materialaccording to claim 8, further including: moving the powered inertiapropelled screed can move back and forth along the tracks causing thescreed to move back and forth utilizing a plurality of wheelsoperatively attached to the bottom portion of the platform and aplurality of tracks for receiving the plurality of wheels.